Raiders Receivers Giving Offense Added Dimension

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, October 15, 1996

Granted, they are not the world's foremost secondaries. Few football coaches will base instructional videos on the way the New York Jets and Detroit Lions defend the pass.

Still, the Raiders resurrected themselves these last two Sundays by shredding the Jets and Lions through the air. Consider quarterback Jeff Hostetler's collective numbers: 44 for 66, 483 yards, seven touchdowns.

Hostetler also distributed the ball evenly, possibly the most encouraging sign for Oakland as it begins preparations for Monday night's game against AFC West rival San Diego.

James Jett climbed to the forefront in the victory over Detroit, catching seven passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Jett did more than dash downfield; he also ran several short, timing routes.

His progress this season (26 catches) gives Hostetler another viable option. Tim Brown (43 catches) and Daryl Hobbs (24) complete a talented trio; each wide receiver is on pace to catch more than 50 passes this season.

"Now we're not a one-dimensional team," coach Mike White said yesterday. "Obviously, Tim has been the most consistent player on our team. But now we'll be able to spread it out. People will have to account for everyone.

"It took awhile, but we're finally coming to that point."

Jett fills the most intriguing role in the puzzle. The Raiders put plenty of faith in him this season, trading Rocket Ismail to Carolina and elevating Jett into the starting lineup.

That decision angered Hobbs. As he said again yesterday, "We needed James to run deep and catch the ball. Or, basically, just catch the ball."

Hobbs happily acknowledged Jett's importance to the offense. Both men have collected plenty of playing time, without slicing into Brown's prominent role.

The Raiders knew Hobbs had reliable hands, based on the way he played last season (38 catches). They hoped Jett would offer similar reliability, but that required a deeper trip into history.

"James had pretty good hands when he came on the scene," White said. "That first year (1993), he displayed good hands. But he made a lot of big plays, and people began to look at him as a speed receiver.

"We slowed Jett's development, because Jeff had so much faith in Tim. He always looked for him when things got tight. So Jett became one-dimensional, as a deep threat to stretch the defense.

"This year, Jett was forced into honing his skills. The most pleasing thing about Sunday's game was Jeff had the faith in him in those situations."

The Raiders helped Jett by including more long passes in this year's playbook. Sunday, they showed the kind of combination they want -- repeated short stuff, occasional bombs.

"It just keeps people off us," Hobbs said. "They have to respect the deep ball more. We can always go underneath."

JUNKIN GONE: The Raiders lost long snapper Trey Junkin to Arizona yesterday, when the Cardinals claimed Junkin on waivers.

The Raiders waived Junkin before Sunday's game, to help clear roster space for practice-squad players Jerone Davison and Lamar Lyons. They were needed because of injuries to fullback Derrick Fenner and safety Darren Carrington.

White had said Sunday he hoped to re-sign Junkin this week.

"That's a big disappointment, but it's just how the system works," White said yesterday.

Dan Turk replaces Junkin as the team's long snapper. Turk handled the job last season and in the win over the Lions.

MISCELLANY: The Raiders (3-4) take various injuries into their preparations for San Diego (4-2). Fenner (groin injury), Carrington (knee), cornerback Albert Lewis (hip flexor), safety Eddie Anderson (triceps), running back Harvey Williams (calf) and offensive tackle Pat Harlow (hip/back) are all uncertain participants. . . . Harlow has been cleared to rejoin practice tomorrow; he's missed the last three-plus games. . . . White said rookie Lance Johnstone might again start at left defensive end against San Diego. Johnstone played well against the Lions.